Dachshund Power: It’s Gonna Be Big
I certain that if we could harness Ollie’s energy our electric bill would be significantly reduced. As would everyone’s in our apartment complex.
Top Five Summer Foods Dangerous to Pets
I don’t usually share press releases (I get eleventy million a day) but since Ollie is a garbage gut I thought I’d share this list of the most dangerous summer foods for pets. MrChewy.com conducted a poll and found that the majority of pet owners aren’t aware of the risks of certain foods to their pet’s health, so it’s pretty important stuff to know.
Top Five Summer Foods Dangerous to Pets
Avocados
You make think Spot loves yummy summer guacamole as much as you do but in fact avocados are toxic to dogs. According to the ASPCA’s website, all parts of the avocado, including the pit and skin, contain a substance called Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
Onions
Picture this: you’re grilling up some kebabs out back when a piece of grilled onion falls to the ground. Do you let Rover eat it? According to WebMD, you shouldn’t. Onions and garlic in all forms can destroy your pet’s red blood cells, leading to anemia. Symptoms include weakness, vomiting, little interest in food, dullness, and breathlessness. Cats are especially susceptible to the dangers posed by onions.
Lemons and Lemonade
According to the ASPCA, lemons and limes are toxic to both dogs and cats. These fruits contain a substance called psoralens, which when combined with the acidity in lemons and limes, can make ingestion dangerous. Plus, the essential oil found in lemon peel can be toxic to cats when taken internally, applied to the skin, or simply inhaled.
Grapes
Although they are one of the most refreshing of summer’s fruits, grapes and raisins should be avoided when it comes to Fido. Although the specific toxin is unknown, grapes have been known to cause vomiting, lethargy, depression and eventually kidney failure, especially among older dogs and puppies.
Ice cream
In small quantities, your pup should be able to handle a few licks of your ice cream cone, but according to the ASPCA, because pets do not possess significant amounts of the enzyme that breaks down lactose, milk and other milk-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.
This is not a sponsored post, but Mr. Chewy is free to send Ollie treats to sample at any time. His favorites are chicken, sweet potato, and duck.
Preventing Joint & Back Problems in Dachshunds
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Marvelous Products. All opinions are 100% mine.
Ollie is a miniature dachshund. Dachshunds are known for being longer than they are tall, burrowing into any available blanket, launching themselves off of furniture, and hip and back problems.
That last trait is troubling, but there are things you can do to prevent back problems in dachshunds. Making sure to use doggie stairs next to furniture, keeping their weight under control, minimizing play that puts unnecessary strain on their backs, such as tug-of-war, and adding Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM for dogs to their diets is a good start.
Glucosamine chondroitin naturally occurs in cartilage and has been used as a supplement for humans, horses, dogs, and other animals to help rebuild cartilage and ease symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness. More specifically, Osteo-Pet Total Joint Care Formula contains glucosamine chondroitin as well as MSM, boswellia, hyaluronic, and green lipped mussels, all of which stimulate cartilage and connective tissue growth in dogs.
I know that I want Ollie around for as long as possible, living an active and pain-free life, so we supplement his diet with glucosamine chondroitin, and have since he was a puppy, on the recommendation of our vet.
If your dog is suffering from, or is prone to, joint problems, and you and your vet determine that a supplement is the appropriate treatment, use coupon code OsteoPet11 for 10% off Osteo-Pet Value Size Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM for dogs. That's two bottles of Osteo-Pet Total Joint Care Formula for less than $35!
How much is your pet worth?
I was quoted in an article by Jen Weigel in the Chicago Tribune entitled How much is your pet worth? I initially weighed in when Jen posed the question on Facebook, not realizing it was research for an article.
My quote is actually a mash up of a few different things I said, and although the sentiment is correct, it doesn’t quite make sense, so I wanted to share my full thought.
On Facebook, Jen Weigel asked:
How much would you spend on your pets health? We have a 500 dollar limit for our dog. Anyone think that’s too high? Too low?
My response was:
No limit. If treatment can provide our pet a happy and healthy life, it’s our obligation to do just that.
Jen then asked:
Corrin- how can you say “no limit?” in this economy?
I replied:
Because our pet is part of our family and by bringing him into our family we took on the responsibility of providing for him. I’m not talking heroic measures, but a surgery or treatment that can provide a sustained quality of life? I’d absolutely do everything in my power to make it happen. It’s the reason for pet insurance and regular vet visits – prevention is the best medicine.
And I completely understand “this economy.” I’ve been unemployed for 9 months. Different things are a priority to different people.
Do you agree? Disagree? How much would you spend on your pet? How much have you spent on your pet? Is there a limit?
Scuba Diving Dachshund
Think your pup is adventurous? Look at this scuba diving dachshund!
Sergei Gorbunov, a professional diver from Russia, taught his dachshund, Boniface, to accompany him on his dives – complete with custom made wetsuit and diving helmet!
Boniface is practically a miniature Jacques Cousteau!
